Different Diets and Your Health
How many different diets have you tried for the sake of your health? Dieting is hard because sometimes you deprive yourself of the foods you have grown to love and crave. Besides, it's tough to stick with a diet for long periods. Most people who try to diet gain the weight back plus some, and it's frustrating and demoralizing.
You have to find what works for you and only you. No matter what you eat, remember that animals and animal products cause inflammation and acid in the body. There are several diets out there - vegan, vegetarian, paleo, and keto to name a few. Be aware that you can't just eat whatever junk food you want and eat within your calorie budget, though. If you do that, for sure, the weight will eventually catch up with you.
What's Going On With My Diet?
Everyone is different, and you should tailor your nutrient intake and calorie budget to you. It just depends on your body and how it responds to certain foods.
A vegan or vegetarian diet eliminates meat, poultry, fish, and eggs. Vegetarians may still eat dairy products.
A ketogenic diet is a high-fat, moderate-protein, and very low-carbohydrate diet that helps you lose weight. People on a keto diet eat mostly meat, poultry, fish, eggs, cheese, nuts, and seeds, and they avoid grains, legumes, fruits, and starchy vegetables. Keto diets are also highly acidic.
Paleo is a diet that includes lean meats, seafood, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. It avoids processed foods, grains, dairy products, legumes, and added sugars.
That's why diets don't work for most people. You might lose weight temporarily, but then you go back to eating like you used to and gain that fat (plus more) back.
The best way is not to use a "diet" at all, but rather change how you eat and live.
People do this all the time and never even think to call it a "diet."
Some people go vegan, which requires planning and effort but gets easier as you learn more about what vegan foods are available. Others might give up animal products one at a time, like first ditching eggs or then cheese. Others might try a vegetarian diet.
Then some people go paleo. Paleo diets advocate eating as our ancestors did back in "the good old days." They advise against grains (bread, rice, etc.), legumes (beans, peas, etc.), and potatoes.
Finally, some people go ketogenic. Keto is paleo with the addition of fat and much fewer carbs.
You might think, "I don't want to be vegan/vegetarian/paleo/keto because I love (meat, sweets, and dinner rolls)," but wait until you try it! You might be surprised.
OK, So What's My Diet Plan?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. You want to find a way of eating and living that will work for you and your body. You'll know when you're doing it right because there'll be no guesswork involved in losing fat, gaining muscle, or maintaining weight.
No matter what you eat, remember that animals and animal products cause inflammation and acid in the body. The more animal products you consume, the more vulnerable you are to sickness, inflammation, and diseases.
Just try a vegan diet and see how it goes. I switched to Veganism at the age of 40 and have never felt better. It might take some time to learn what foods are available to you, but it becomes easy once you do. You'll find yourself eating way more fruits and veggies than before, and you'll feel better about it.
If you're looking for a way to jumpstart your vegan diet, I suggest incorporating juicing into your routine. The benefits of juicing with organic and natural fruits and vegetables include increased energy, detoxification, and weight loss.
I'm a certified juice therapist, and I can help you get started on the right foot. If you want to know more about juice therapy as a healthy lifestyle choice that can positively impact your health, check out Evie's Enlivening Juice List.